The Okotoks Dawgs completed the three-peat this season and are now awarded some beautiful, stylish championship rings.
The rings will showcase the three trophies to signify the Dawgs's three consecutive championship wins. The "3 PEAT" title is printed at the top of the ring with 2024 WCBL champions along the side. One side will feature the name and number of the respective player, with the Okotoks Dawgs and the WCBL logo on the other.
Year-end awards
In addition to the rings, the Dawgs have also announced their team award winners. Cade Herrmann was the first to be announced as the Reliever of the Year. Herrmann has been a staple to Okotoks as he was a part of all three championship teams to help complete the three-peat. He would strike out 23 batters while pitching in 21 and one-third innings this season. Herrmann only allowed eight walks in that period and earned an ERA of 2.08. During the post-season, Herrmann was unstoppable as he only allowed a single hit and posted an ERA of 0.00.
Next up was Logan Grant, winning the True Grit award. Grant was a versatile player for the Dawgs and was utilized in multiple different situations. Grant, who normally plays catcher, was used in multiple defensive positions and thrived like when he was placed in the outfield making eye-popping catches. Grant posted 32 RBIs, five home runs, 12 doubles, three triples, and batted a .306 average during the regular season. In the playoffs, he would also add a home run and five RBIs to help lift the Dawgs to the three-peat.
The Dawgs' Rookie of the Year should be no surprise to the Okotoks faithful as Jarrett Burney fit perfectly on this season's squad. Burney was an ace at-bat with an astonishing average of .441. He added two home runs, 21 RBIs, three triples, and eight doubles in 35 games. In the post-season, Burney succeeded in getting seven walks and seven RBIs.
Fan favourite Ricky Sanchez was next of the season-end awards with being named with the Gold Glove honours. Sanchez who also was a part of all three championship teams to complete the three-peat was a force to be reckoned with. Sanchez exploded in playoffs with four doubles, a triple, 10 RIBs, 12 walks, and 13 hits, and advanced the Dawgs to the second round after a walk-off bunt to win the series against the Lethbridge Bulls in game three during the 13th inning. Sanchez finished off the regular season with 15 RBIs, a home run, and six doubles. Near the end of the regular season, Sanchez even stepped on the mound for an inning getting two strikeouts and not allowing a single hit.
Brendan Luther, also known as "Mr. August," was up next in being awarded the Top Canadian honour. Luther, who is well known for his production in playoffs, continued to dominate and give the Dawgs life during the post-season. He was another member of the team who played all three years during the three-peat. Luther led the team in the post-season with a .410 batting average while adding three doubles, five walks, and four RBIs. During the regular season, he posted 29 RBIs, 14 doubles, three home runs, and earned 14 walks. In 37 games played last season, he would make contact with the ball for 56 hits.
First-time Dawg Ashton Luera stood out in his first season with the team earning the Pitcher of the Year award. Luera impressed the Dawgs faithful with his punchouts on the mound. He pitched 24 and one-third innings during the regular season as the closer earning 47 strikeouts and only 13 walks. His ERA finished at 1.48 and only allowed four runs. Luera only stepped up his game during the post-season and proved as a great option at closer when the lights were at their brightest. He played in 10 innings in the playoffs and put out 18 batters with strikeouts. He would only allow six hits in the 10 innings at the mound to help complete the Dawgs' three-peat.
Last but certainly not least, Connor "The Crow Show" Crowson earned the MVP award. Crowson led the team with both 55 RBIs and nine home runs. He added 67 hits in 46 games, 14 doubles and a triple. He finished off the season with a.383 batting average. Just like Sanchez, Crowson also got the opportunity to pitch for an inning and didn't allow a single hit while striking out a single batter. During the postseason the "Crow Show" earned two walks and 11 hits, and became the hometown hero with a walk-off home run to win the WCBL championship. He also contributed to all three championship wins in the three-peat.
To rewatch the magic of the completion of the three-peat, check the video below.
A legend is born. The 3-peat is complete.
— Okotoks Dawgs Baseball (@Okotoks_Dawgs) August 25, 2024
Okotoks Dawgs - where champions are made!#dawgs #WCBL #3-peat #dynasty #champions pic.twitter.com/nva9EGmuub